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We want to provide relevant and useful information to Worcestershire's younger people and so Soundbite is our quarterly magazine which is distributed to local schools and community and youth groups. If you are a young person or you represent younger people in Worcestershire and would to receive this then email: whcnhs.communications@nhs.net

This is our bi-monthly magazine for our external stakeholders, including staff from partner providers, commissioners and members of the public. It rounds-up the latest news from Trust Board meetings as well as providing an update on other Trust-wide developments. To subscribe to receiving your electronic version email: whcnhs.communications@nhs.net

Each year the Trust produces its Annual Report which includes our Financial Accounts and Quality Accounts for that year. It also includes a round-up of the year’s key news and achievements.

Visit your local Minor Injury Unit this Christmas

In the lead up to the Festive season, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is reminding residents to take any minor ailments or injuries to their local Minor Injury Unit, where the average waiting time is 20 minutes.

With slips, trips and falls being more common during the cold winter, the Trust is urging those with minor injuries including small cuts and burns, grazes, sprains, strains and fractures to attend one of their MIUs.

The Trust runs four MIUs across Worcestershire which are located at Bromsgrove, Malvern, Evesham and Tenbury. There is also a unit in Kidderminster run by the local Acute Trust.

Worcestershire’s Community Hospitals will continue to play an important role in the future delivery of health care services in the county.

Community Hospitals, which are run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, provide some outpatient clinics and short-term inpatient care for people who can’t stay at home, but do not require a specialist acute bed.

We have no plans to close any of our community hospitals, but they could be used a bit differently in the future as we provide more care in people’s own homes. We have heard consistently how people want outpatient clinics and ‘same day’ treatments to be provided closer to where they live and so we see community hospitals doing a wider range of activities than they currently do.

New videos to give patients, carers and families an insight into older people's mental health wards

The county’s mental health Trust has just released a series of videos which aim to dispel the pre-conceptions people might have about life on a mental health ward.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is the main provider of mental health services in the County and has three wards which support someone over the age of 65 who can’t safely be cared for at home: Athelon Ward in Worcester and Meadow and Woodland ward which are in the New Haven unit in Bromsgrove. They provide care for those suffering with varying degrees of dementia including Alzheimer’s, acute depression, acute anxiety and psychosis.

Get involved in shaping future of local health and care services

Health and care leaders across the county are encouraging people to get involved in helping shape the future of local services.

A draft plan published today by health and care organisations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire provides some early thoughts on how local services might change in response to a challenging context which includes rising demands and poorer health outcomes in some areas. The draft has been submitted as part of the national Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) programme which encourages local areas to develop 5-year plans (up to 2020/21) to address local health outcomes, care and quality issues and financial pressures.

The Moodmaster programme is delivered by Springfield Mind, a local mental health charity, on behalf of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust. It aims to provide a range of simple tools and techniques to help attendees manage life's emotional ups and downs more effectively, cope better with everyday stresses and worries and improve their overall quality of life.

The Wellbeing Hub, run in partnership Community First and is part of Worcestershire Healthy Minds, a service run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, is able to provide information and signposting for people over the age of 16 who are struggling with low level mental health issues such as; stress, anxiety, low mood, worry or depression. Click Here for More

Self-care week: Free course available to help manage long-term conditions

As part of self-care week, residents with long-term conditions are being reminded of free classes available in Worcestershire that helps people to self-manage their condition/conditions.

The Patient Self-Management programme, run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, is being promoted during self-care week - a week dedicated to supporting and promoting self-care.

The programme is facilitated by an occupational therapist and volunteers with lived experience of long-term health conditions. It helps people to take more control and responsibility for the management of their condition(s) and to become more independent. It also explores how their condition impacts on different aspects of their lives. Click Here for More

More care closer to home for Wyre Forest residents

A new Ward has opended in Kidderminster supporting wider developments to improve services for local people,

The new ward will opened on the site of the Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre on November 12thfollowing a refurb of Witley Ward.

GPs will admit people to the new ward who can’t be safely supported at home, but neither are they so poorly that they need to be admitted to an acute hospital bed. The aim will be to provide short-term care and treatment on Wyre Forest Ward which will help someone recover and return home as quickly as possible. Click Here for more

Local NHS Trust acknowledged as one of best performing in the country

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has been acknowledged as one of the top performing in the country requiring minimal national support, as part of a new league table published this week.

Each NHS Trust across the country has been placed in one of four categories based on the level of support they require from NHS Improvement (NHSI). This is an independent NHS organisation which works with Trusts to improve or maintain performance, including over the quality of care they provide, their financial performance, and the effectiveness of their leadership.

Celebrating outstanding achievement of our NHS staff

NHS staff from across the county have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at an Olympic themed awards ceremony. Mental health teams, physio therapists, dementia staff and volunteers were all among the winners in Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s annual Staff Awards evening which this year took place in Tree Tops Pavilion in the heart of West Midlands Safari Park on Thursday, October 20th.

Special guest, Lauren Rowles, a Paralympian from Bromsgrove who won a rowing Gold at the at Rio Olympics attended the event and presented awards to the winners. Among them was Ivanna Giles, a paediatric physiotherapist who works in Bromsgrove, who scooped the Patient Choice Award. She was nominated by Jane and Elise Mulvale in recognition of the fantastic help and support she has given their family. Click Here for More

Trust approves plans to change adult mental health services

Residents have just a few days left to take part in a consultation into the future of some of the county’s adult mental health services. Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and local healthcare commissioners launched a 10 week consultation in July into the future of some of the services which support those experiencing more serious mental health difficulties. The consultation closed on Wednesday, September 28th 2016.

The proposals which form part of this consultation have been informed by months of engagement with those who currently or have previously used mental health services, as well as carers, members of the wider community and staff. An advisory group made up of some of those people was also established to review the proposals now being put forward.

World Mental Health Day – what’s in your psychological first aid kit?

Monday 10th October was World Mental Health day with a focus on psychological first aid kits and the support people can provide to those in distress.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the County’s main provider of mental health services, has been running a campaign aimed at giving people ideas about what should be in their psychological first aid kit.

Sarah Taylor-Robinson who works for the Trust as part of their Big Recovery programme said, “We all know the wisdom of having a first aid kit ready for those unexpected physical injuries and symptoms and we all know roughly what should be in that.

Help design your county’s sexual health campaigns

From pregnancy to sexting, residents are being asked to help choose the next big focus for sexual health in their community.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust who run the sexual health services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire have released a questionnaire this week to find out what people want to learn more about.

The short questionnaire will help the Trust understand how different sexual health topics affect different genders and ages which will be used to produce more targeted campaigns that will really make a difference over the next few years.

New courses to help people take more control of long-term conditions

A self-management programme for those living with long-term conditions is on the look-out for patients who are keen to take more control and responsibility for their health.

The Patient Self-Management programme, run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, is facilitated by an occupational therapist and volunteers with lived experience of long-term health conditions. It helps people to take more control and responsibility for the management of their condition(s) and to become more independent. It also explores how their condition impacts on different aspects of their lives.

Last chance to help shape a new type of mental health service in Worcestershire

Residents have just a few days left to take part in a consultation into the future of some of the county’s adult mental health services.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and local healthcare commissioners launched a 10 week consultation in July into the future of some of the services which support those experiencing more serious mental health difficulties. The consultation closes on Wednesday, September 28th 2016.

The proposals which form part of this consultation have been informed by months of engagement with those who currently or have previously used mental health services, as well as carers, members of the wider community and staff. Click Here For More Information

Thumbs up for Bromsgrove’s mental health unit

New Haven, an older adult mental health unit, has been given a clean bill of health as part of a patient-led inspection.

The unit run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has exceeded the national average in all categories for non-clinical activities according to results from a recent patient assessment.

Every year the Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) programme gets teams of NHS and private/independent health care providers (50% of which are patients) to undertake self-assessments of Care Trusts, Mental Health Trusts, Hospital Trusts and Independent Sector Health Care Providers.

Thumbs up for Tenbury Hospital

Tenbury Community Hospital has been given a clean bill of health as part of a patient-led inspection.

The community hospital run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has exceeded the national average in all categories for non-clinical activities according to results from a recent patient assessment.

Every year the Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) programme gets teams of NHS and private/independent health care providers (50% of which are patients) to undertake self-assessments of Care Trusts, Mental Health Trusts, Hospital Trusts and Independent Sector Health Care Providers. Click Here for More Information

Local NHS Trust confirms new Board appointments

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, responsible for local mental health and community nursing and therapy services, has confirmed two new additions to its Board.

Jamie Morris and Stephen Tilton will take up their posts at the start of September as Non-Executive Directors. They will join the Trust’s Board which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and for its overall performance. Jamie, who lives in Bromsgrove, is a retired senior executive who has held roles in various public and private sector organisations, most recently as an Executive Director at Walsall Metropolitan Council, where he had responsibility for a wide range of front line services. Before that he was Assistant Chief Executive at Birmingham City Council and a Management Consultant with Deloitte advising local and central government on a variety of issues. Click Here for More

NHS staff walk the equivalent of over 200 marathons as part of Olympic challenge

Staff at a local NHS Trust have been putting their best foot forward as part of an Olympic bid to promote health and wellbeing.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the main provider of mental health and community services in the county, set its staff a challenge this summer to walk to Rio as part of an Olympics and Paralympics inspired quest to encourage exercise at work.

Staff were asked to count the number of steps they walked each shift with an ambitious target of 11,554,902 required to reach Rio, the host city for the games. The target, which is the equivalent of 222 marathons, was reached just before the end of the Paralympics which finished last weekend. Click Here for More

Our Healthy Minds App is now available to download for free . . .

A new self-help app built and developed in-house by a local NHS Trust to help people maintain good mental wellbeing is now available to download for free.

The Worcestershire Healthy Minds App was developed by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Communications Teamand its Healthy Minds service. It provides tips and techniques to help people self-manage more common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and low mood.

Available on both Android and Apple devices, the app enables people to take control of things including sleep problems, phobias, OCD and bereavement. Click Here for More

Trust runs Olympic campaign focussing on mental health

With the Rio Olympics in full swing, a local NHS Trust is reminding people of the importance of exercise to help keep a healthy mind.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the main provider of mental health services in the County, have launched a campaign this week with the slogan “it’s not just an Olympian who…” to demonstrate how regular exercise and sport such as running and swimming can help people with their mental wellbeing.

Around 1 in 4 people each year will experience problems such as stress, anxiety and low mood and exercise can help people to keep their minds and bodies healthy. Click Here for More

Health and Care Trust rated ‘Good’ by CQC

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has been rated ‘Good’ by the healthcare sector’s independent regulator - the second highest rating possible.

Inspectors from the CQC (Care Quality Commission) re-visited Trust sites and services at the end of last year to assess them against its set national criteria; are services Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led. The CQC published that report today (Monday) which rated the Trust as ‘Good’ overall.

The Trust was originally inspected in January 2015 and at that point, despite being widely praised for the majority of the services provided, there were a few areas which required improvement. Click Here for More

Events to help shape a new type of mental health service in Worcestershire

Residents interested in shaping the future of local mental health services are being invited to attend a public meeting as part of an on-going consultation exercise.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and local healthcare commissioners last week launched a 10 week consultation into the future of some of the services which support those experiencing more serious mental health difficulties.

The proposals which form part of this consultation have been informed by months of engagement with those who currently or have previously used mental health services, as well as carers, members of the wider community and staff. An advisory group made up of some of those people was also established to review the proposals now being put forward. Click Here for More

Bringing the outdoors in at Bromsgrove’s New Haven Unit

The wards at an award winning mental health Unit in Bromsgrove have been renamed with the help of patients, carers, volunteers and staff.

New Haven, based on the site of the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, was built in 2013 and is run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the county’s main provider of mental health services.

There are two wards in New Haven; one for those with dementia, and the other for adults who have other serious mental health illnesses, such as depression. The Unit covers the whole county and supports people who cannot at that point be looked after at home. Click Here for More

Patients given the chance to award NHS staff

The NHS Trust which runs the majority of community and mental health services across Worcestershire is holding its Staff Awards ceremony later this year to celebrate the achievements of its dedicated employees, and is giving patients, service users, families and carers the opportunity to get involved.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is asking for nominations from the public for the Patient Choice award. This award recognises a member of staff who has gone the extra mile and the Trust wants those who have used its services, either directly or through supporting a friend or relative, to nominate a member of its team who is deserving of stand-out recognition.

Help us name the new 16-bed Ward in Kidderminster

Residents in Wyre Forest are being asked for their suggestions for naming the new 16-bed ward in Kidderminster which will be run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.

Earlier this year the Trust had plans approved to provide a new ward which will in effect replace the GP led-Unit which was due to close later this year. It will be on the site of Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre and will support the local health and care system to provide more care and treatment closer to home, and to alleviate pressure on Acute sites.

The new Ward is on track to open in October, and residents are being asked to provide their suggestions for a new name. The Trust will whittle the suggestions to a shortlist, with the staff who will work in the ward choosing the preferred option ahead of the opening. Click Here for More

Local admiral nurse praised for her dementia care

A Worcestershire nurse who supports families who are living with dementia has been commended for her work by a service user on a national website.

Helen Springthorpe, Worcestershire’s first Admiral Nurse, began supporting Vanessa Godfrey, a carer for her husband Stan who had a combination of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in 2007.

Vanessa was supported by Helen, who works for Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust in partnership with Dementia UK, for seven years and has written a post on the Dementia UK blog site to thank Helen for her work.

Help shape a new type of mental health service in Worcestershire

Residents are being asked to help change some of the county’s mental health services so they are better able to support peoples’ recovery.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and local healthcare commissioners have just launched a 10 week consultation into the future of some of the services which support those experiencing more serious mental health difficulties.

The proposals which form part of this consultation have been informed by months of engagement with those who currently or have previously used mental health services, as well as carers, members of the wider community and staff.

Trust to host event on improving patient information

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is hosting a public event to discuss how it can improve the information it provides to those who use its services.

Earlier this year, The Trust implemented the national Accessible Information Standard (AIS) which has been set up to ensure organisations do more to provide information to patients in formats and languages which are appropriate for them. The Trust already works hard to provide translation services and, through its improved patient record system, can more easily identify those who have a disability or sensory loss so only appropriate information in accessible formats are sent to them.

Patients given the chance to award NHS staff

The NHS Trust which runs the majority of community and mental health services across Worcestershire is holding its Staff Awards ceremony later this year to celebrate the achievements of its dedicated employees, and is giving patients, service users, families and carers the opportunity to get involved.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is asking for nominations from the public for the Patient Choice award. This award recognises a member of staff who has gone the extra mile and the Trust wants those who have used its services, either directly or through supporting a friend or relative, to nominate a member of its team who is deserving of stand-out recognition.

Trust AGM: Wednesday 13 July 2016

Residents are invited to Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Annual General Meeting next week.

It will take place on Wednesday 13th July 2015 at 5pm in the Committee Rooms, Pershore Civic Centre. Light refreshments will be available from 4.30pm when there will be an opportunity to talk to Board members, staff and other guests.

As well as presenting the annual report, quality and financial accounts there will be a presentation on our Adult Mental Health services.

NHS funding brings the arts into local hospice

A hospice in Kidderminster has made use of some additional funding from a local NHS organisation by introducing the arts to its patients.

KEMP Hospice is a Nurse supported day hospice that provides palliative care and recently received some charitable funds from Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.

The team used this money to fund an art mural, a plaque and a musical therapist to enhance the care they provide and make the hospice a more enjoyable experience for people. The art mural, now in the entrance to the activity room, has a seaside theme which was decided by the patients at the hospice who said that the seaside ‘prompted happy memories’. Click Here for More

Learning Disabilities Day held in County

Worcestershire’s 4th annual Learning Disabilities Day was held in Droitwich last week around the theme of being ‘Safe and Sound’.

The day was organised by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust staff and service users alongside Worcestershire County Council to raise awareness of Learning Disabilities and advise people on how they can live independently and safely.

There were around 20 information stalls covering health and safety advice. The Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust dental team were on hand to provide advice and information alongside Healthwatch Worcestershire, Mencap and Bromford Living who were promoting the sheltered housing scheme that they are developing within the County called MyPlace. Click Here for More

Mental health support for those with long-term health conditions

To coincide with national diabetes week, a service for people experiencing mild or lower level mental health issues is appealing to those struggling to manage their long-term health conditions to seek support. The Worcestershire Healthy Minds service is run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust to support people, aged 16+, with more common issues, such as stress, anxiety, worry or depression.

These can be caused bylots of things, including issues at work or relationship and family problems, but people who have a long-term health condition which requires on-going management, such as diabetes, are also more vulnerable.

New service can offer help to carers

This week is Carers Week and a new mental health service in Worcestershire could help carers look after their mental health – something a local NHS organisation feels is very important.

The County’s main provider of mental health services, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has recently launched the Worcestershire Wellbeing Hub which, run in partnership with Community First, provides information and signposting for people over the age of 16 who are struggling with low level mental health issues such as; stress, anxiety, low mood, worry or depression.

Moodmaster courses now available in Worcestershire

Free courses to support people to cope with stress and worry are now running across the County.

The Moodmaster programme has been launched by Worcestershire Healthy Minds and it aims to provide a range of simple tools and techniques to help attendees manage life's emotional ups and downs more effectively, cope better with everyday stresses and worries and improve their overall quality of life.

Around 1 in 4 people each year will experience problems such as stress, anxiety and low mood. Each week the Moodmaster sessions will focus on a different topic and provide simple coping skills that can be put into practice. Topics include sleep, worry, relaxation, dealing with stress, problem solving and friendships. Click Here for More.

Jill’s term of office extended

A Worcestershire Magistrate has been re-appointed to the Board of the Trust responsible for the majority of community nursing, therapy and mental health services in the county.

Jill Gramann’s new tenure as a Non-Executive Director at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust will run until the summer of 2018, after her re-appointment was confirmed by NHS Improvement. Non-Executive Directors sit on the Trust Board and are responsible for supporting and challenging the executive team to deliver against its objectives and key priorities. They are usually appointed for 2 years at a time.

Evesham MIU opening times to change

Opening times at Evesham’s Minor Injury Unit will change slightly from Wednesday, June 1st to ensure its safely staffed with appropriately trained nurses.

The opening times will change from the current 8am - 11pm to 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week. The decision has been necessary due to the Trust being unable to recruit suitably qualified nurses to cover the current opening times.

The majority of attendees to the Unit visit between 9am and 9pm. The Unit is only for those who have minor issues, such as small cuts and burns, grazes, sprains and strains. For more information visit www.hacw.nhs.uk/MIU

New service can offer help to stressed students during exam period

A mental health service has just been launched which could provide help to students over 16 in the midst of exam season.

The Worcestershire Wellbeing Hub is being run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust in partnership with Community First, and provides information and signposting for people over the age of 16 who are struggling with low level mental health issues such as; stress, anxiety, low mood, worry or depression.

It aims to connect people with a range of courses and groups available across the county which are run by local non-NHS community providers, for example voluntary organisations or charities.

Local Apprentice wins National award

A young apprentice from Worcestershire has received national recognition for her work at a local NHS Trust.Christina Trouton, who is a Business Administration apprentice with Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust received the Personal Development accolade at the Health Estates and Facilities Management Awards.

Christina works with the Estates and Facilities Team and was nominated for the award by her colleagues. Since starting her apprenticeship she is near completion of her level 2 qualification and works across two Trust sites in her administration apprentice role.

Around 200 guests and nominees attended the ceremony which was held at Telford International Centre with Christina being the youngest of all. Click Here for More

New Opportunities at the Old Needleworks

A new group which supports people in their recovery from mental health issues has been launched in Redditch, as part of a recently re-designed service.During 2015 Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, which provides the majority of mental health services across the county, brought together service users, staff and other stakeholders to re-design its vocational services. These provide activities for people who need support to re-build their confidence, or to gain new skills to equip them for future work, volunteering or education following a mental health illness.

The service had been previously run out of three centres; Shrub Hill Workshop in Worcester, Orchard Place Workshop in Redditch and Link Nurseries in Powick but in April the newly re-designed service, called New Opportunities Worcestershire, went live. Click Here for More

New Wellbeing Hub launched in Worcestershire

A new community Wellbeing Hub for those experiencing more mild or lower level mental health problems has been launched in Worcestershire today (Monday, May 16 2016) to coincide with national Mental Health Awareness Week.

The Wellbeing Hub is being run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Healthy Minds service in partnership with Community First, and provides information and signposting for people over the age of 16 who are struggling with things like anxiety, stress, low mood, worry or depression. Click Here for More

Students take centre stage to deliver sexual health lessons

Students at a Worcester college have been educating fellow pupils of the importance of sexual health as part of a training programme run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.

A group of Years 10 and 12 students from the Christopher Whitehead Language College have been taking part in a pilot training programme led by the Trust's Sexual Health Service. They spent a day with Debra Newton, a Health Promotion Specialist within the service, learning about a range of sexual health topics, from contraception to sexting.

They were then asked to lead a lesson on a topic of their choosing to pupils from Year 8, helping them learn more about the dangers of unprotected sex, the risks associated with Sexually Transmitted Infection and the importance of healthy relationships. Click Here for More

Update on health service that helps young people in Worcestershire

The text messaging health service which was launched in January to provide support to young people in the county has given updates on how the service is being used.

ChatHealth, which is run by the county’s School Health Nurses which is part of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, was launched earlier this year to give young people advice and support on a range of health issues from contraception to self-harm, in a much more accessible way.

The service is now in its fourth month and is steadily moving forward with text messages and calls being made on a daily basis. Click Here for More

New sessions to help people prepare for parenthood are coming to Worcestershire

New classes aimed at helping expectant parents prepare for the arrival of their baby are set to begin this month.Birth and Beyond Worcestershire, run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Early Help is completely new to the County and provides information to parents about labour, birth and what to expect during those very exciting, and often very nervous, first few weeks and months.

Parents-to-be are invited to join the Health Visitor-led sessions for 4 consecutive weeks during pregnancy and then for a final session once the baby has been born. Birth and labour are discussed and there are plenty of opportunities to think about what kind of mother or father you want to be. Each session has a practical element, such as how to bath your baby and play with him or her. Other topics include understanding why your baby cries and how you know that your baby is well. Click Here for More

New Worcester NHS Unit nearing completion

Work is nearing completion on the new unit in Worcester City which is supporting people in their recovery from ill-health and assisting patient flow from Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The Timberdine Community Unit was awarded to Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust – the county’s main provider of community nursing, therapy and mental health services – at the start of April following a competitive tendering process.

The Unit is focused on re-ablement; supporting patients to return to independent or supported living in their own homes, as well as being able to manage a recovery phase following an episode of acute ill health.

Local NHS employee selected to represent the UK for the Invictus Games 2016

An administration assistant for Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and former Corporal in the Army is all set for his appearance at the Invictus Games which take place this May.

Mark Abel, 49, from Worcester, lost his sight suddenly back in 2011 after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Undeterred by his illness and supported by Blind Veterans UK, Mark, who has worked for the NHS for the past 14 years, was able to return to employment, enrolling onto an apprenticeship with the Trust in 2014.

After overcoming the challenges of getting back into work, Mark decided to embark on an international challenge and applied for trials for the Invictus Games 2016. Click Her For More

Females in Worcestershire are being encouraged to consider long-term contraception methods

Twice as many women in Worcestershire are using short-term contraceptive methods compared to more effective longer term options.

The latest figures, included in a report by Worcestershire’s Health and Wellbeing Board, show that over 68% of women using contraception in the county use short-term methods such as condoms and the pill, with just 30% using longer-term methods such as the contraceptive injection and an implant.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, which runs the NHS sexual health services in the county, is promoting the benefits of long-acting reversible contraception to override the stigmas which are encouraging people to choose short-term methods as their choice of contraception. Click Here for More

New clinics providing treatment closer to home

Patients who require planned Intravenous Therapy treatment, including blood transfusions, can now access this in a number of the county’s community hospitals.

Previously patients would have had to visit the Worcestershire Royal, Kidderminster Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, but to provide access to treatment closer to people’s homes and to reduce demand on these sites, new clinics have been set up in the community.

Clinics are now being run in Malvern Community Hospital and at Tenbury Community Hospital with sessions at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove due to commence later this year. Click Here for More

The county’s main provider of community and mental health services are reminding residents to make use of the Minor Injury Units across the County as a full walk-out by junior doctors begins today.

Worcestershire Health and Care Trust run units in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Kidderminster, Malvern and Tenbury and they can provide treatment for things like cuts, sprains and minor burns.

The planned industrial action by junior doctors is likely to put extra pressure on the two A&E departments in Worcestershire. In March over 2,500 people used the County’s Minor Injury Units where waiting times are often just 20 minutes.

Ask an Alien competition lands beams down in Worcestershire

An out of this world competition to encourage little earthlings to be inquisitive and ask questions to support their speech and language development has landed in Worcestershire.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Children’s Speech & Language Team are asking pre-school aged children to think of weird and wonderful questions that they would Ask an Alien if they met one. The questions must be space or alien related, and based on the common ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘when’ questions; so for example ‘what do aliens eat for dinner’, ‘where do aliens go on holiday’, or ‘who is the funniest creature in space’?

New Opportunities at the Fairfield Centre

A new course which will support people in their recovery from mental health problems has been launched in Worcester as part of a new re-designed service

At the end of 2015 Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, which provides the majority of mental health services across the county, brought together service users, staff and other stakeholders to re-design its vocational services. These provide activities for people who need support to re-build their confidence, or to gain new skills to equip them for future work, volunteering or education following a mental health illness.

‘Amazing and loyal’ County NHS employee retires after 45 years

A dedicated Health Care Assistant has just retired after 45 years’ worth of NHS service in Worcestershire.

June Clarke has been a Health Care Assistant in the County since 1971 and has worked in various places, starting in Ronkswood Hospital (the former main Hospital in Worcester) on the heart ward when she was 24 years old.

Last week June worked her last shift at Malvern Community Hospital and her colleagues arranged a retirement party for her. In her early years as a Health Care Assistant June worked at the old Malvern Hospital between 1977 and 1979 after the birth of her first child.

Young people wanted as representatives for Worcestershire

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is on the lookout for confident young people to become Ambassadors for the county.

The Trust, which runs the five community hospitals across the county and is the main provider of community and mental health care, is continuously trying to improve its services to patients through engaging with local residents so it has a better understanding of how services can be most effective.

Young people are currently being represented by the Trust’s Youth Board, which is made up of a team of enthusiastic young people from Worcestershire, who attend monthly meetings to give their opinion on the services offered and ways to improve them. Click Here for More

Worcester residents invited to local photography exhibition

Budding photographers from a centre that helps support people in their recovery from mental health issues are displaying their snaps at a local exhibition.

The Exhibition, at the Commandery in Worcester, is the result of a 19 week digital photography course run by Shrub Hill Workshop, a service provided by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust. All those on the course have mental health issues, and the photography course is designed to help in their recovery by building self-esteem and confidence and helping participants to learn techniques for taking good, well composed photographs.

Teenage pregnancy in Worcestershire is down by almost 50% according to latest figures.

The Office for National Statistics released data which showed that between 1998 and 2014 the number of girls aged 15 to 17 falling pregnant in the county was down from 340 to 197. This puts Worcestershire below the national average for England.

The biggest fall was seen more recently, with 197 pregnancies in this age group in 2014 compared to 250 the year before.

Although the figures show Worcester City and Redditch to have more cases of teenage pregnancy than other parts of the county, there has still be significant reduction over the last 15 years.

Worcester Leg Club celebrates its 10th birthday

The club which has brought those living with leg conditions together in a social environment for the past 10 years has celebrated an important milestone with a tea party.The Leg Club was started in 2006 by Ellie Lindsay, a district nurse, who became aware that those suffering with leg ulcers were more likely to be isolated and were prevented from leading a normal work or social life.

It was found that isolation significantly affects leg ulcer patients’ response to treatment, which is why the Lindsay Leg Club foundation, the charity that run the Worcester Leg Club, created community based leg ulcer care where patients can have their legs treated by nurses while socialising with others in the same position as them.

A competition ran by the local NHS Trust’s Children’s Speech and Language service to get young people communicating picked its winners last week.

As part of the ‘Get Worcestershire Talking’ campaign which is run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, they teamed up with West Midland Safari Park’s Learning Team to offer prizes to schools that thought of the funniest animal or dinosaur joke.

The ‘Gigglebox’ competition was started to raise awareness of the importance of communication skills which can help children interact with one another. Skills including listening, memory, vocabulary, narrative and social skills can aid children in joke telling which can help them to make friends more easily. Click Here for More

Local NHS organisation launches campaign around work experience and apprenticeships

This month, the County’s main provider of mental health and community NHS services are running a campaign to highlight the value of work experience and apprenticeships.

The Talent for Care campaign is being implemented by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS trust and aims to promote the opportunities that are available within the organisation’s work experience and apprenticeships programme, which together offer placements to hundreds of people each year

The first week (March 1 – 7th 2016) will promote work experience opportunities which are open to individuals who may be school aged, in further education or unemployed. There are placements available in a wide range of roles from front line, patient facing services to office and administration roles. Click Here for More

Home Treatment for mental health in County amongst best in Country

The teams responsible for providing mental health care in people’s homes across Worcestershire have been rated amongst the top 10 nationally by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The Home Treatment Teams, employed by the County’s main mental health provider Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, provide intensive mental health treatment and support for people in their own homes during an episode of acute illness as a safe alternative to a hospital admission. The teams respond to acute mental health problems and they can also help to facilitate early discharge from hospital by providing care for people at home.

There are 4 of these teams working across Worcestershire –two based in the North and two in the South. The teams based in the North were rated as 4th in the Country and the South teams were rated as 6th in a recent accreditation scheme by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Click Here for More

Health and Care Trust launches new channel for young people

The Trust which provides a range of community and mental health NHS services is launching a new channel providing health news and information for the county’s young people.

Called ‘Soundbite’, it will be used to promote the services Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust offer to young people through shortvideos covering a range of topics, from self-harm to Minor Injury Units.

The videos will give information and advice to support young people to live healthy lives and the Trust will be hitting the streets asking them what topics should be featured.

Kidderminster opens its refurbished community dental service

Kidderminster’s newly refurbished community dental service has opened this week. The community dental services, which are run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, had previously been run from two sites in Kidderminster - the Health Centre and the Dental Access Centre at Crown House.

With the announcement of an imminent re-design of Kidderminster Town Centre and the prospect of Crown House being demolished, it was decided to combine the services under one roof.

Both of the dental services are now being run from Kidderminster Health Centre after an extensive refurbishment that has seen the creation of two new waiting areas for patients and a decontamination suite. There will also be a full time receptionist for weekdays and weekends. Click Here for More

NHS Trust employee assists on BBC’s DIY SOS

A community occupational therapist for Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has assisted BBC’s DIY SOS production team on an episode which airs on the new series starting 17th February 2016.

Jane Trevorrow, who has 10 years’ experience with the Trust, was given the opportunity to work on DIY SOS where Nick Knowles and an army of voluntary local trades, family and friends help transform the homes of families across Britain.

The episode focusses on adapting the home of Antonia, 17, from Eckington, who hasn’t been able to leave hospital for over 2 years as her home is inappropriate for the complexity of her condition. Jane, who has been working with the family since 2014, has a continued input into the specialist equipment that Antonia requires as part of her role as a community occupational therapist. Click Here for More

88% reduction in number of people held in police custody under Mental Health Act

Partnership working between Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and local police has been cited as a national example of best practice for the way they handle vulnerable people detained under the Mental Health Act.

Closer working between the Trust and police has led to a huge reduction in the numbers of people detained under s136 of the act being taken into police custody. Instead many more who are detained are now taken to a special mental health unit in Worcester where they receive support from trained mental health professionals.

The national Crisis Care Concordat, which encourages organisations to work together to ensure vulnerable people with mental health get appropriate support during a crisis, has highlighted Worcestershire as a leading example of how to support people in this situation. Click Here for More

Worcestershire people reminded of mental health help available after national survey

Residents in the County are being reminded of the services that are available to help them with mental health problems in light of a recent national survey.

The survey, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, found that one in four people has been diagnosed with a mental health problem at one time in their life with 19% of people saying they had suffered from depression.

The Worcestershire Healthy Minds service, provided by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, run groups and courses for people aged 16 and over to calm anxiety, boost mood, improve self-confidence and manage sleeping patterns, all without a referral from a GP.

Large majority of patients would recommend NHS Services

97% of people using services provided by a local NHS Trust said they would recommend them to their friends and family, according to latest figures.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust provide the majority of mental health and community care in the County which includes running 5 community hospitals.

Since it was initially launched in April 2013, the Friends and Family Test has been rolled out to most NHS-funded services in England, giving all patients the opportunity to leave feedback on their care and treatment.

NHS Trust nominated for Employer of the Year award

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has been shortlisted for an Employer of the Year award for the support it provides apprentices.

The Trust, which runs the five community hospitals across the county and is the main provider of community and mental health care, has been nominated in recognition of their Workforce Transformation Team who have worked tirelessly to develop the apprenticeship scheme offered to those who want to gain invaluable experience and formal qualifications.

Launch of new health service to help youngsters in the County

A new mobile school health service is being launched to provide help and support to youngsters in Worcestershire and make it easier for them to get advice.

ChatHealth will be launched later this month by the County’s main provider of mental health and community NHS services, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, to give young people advice and support about a range of health issues and improve their access to health care.

The award-winning service, which is available to those aged 11-19, allows students to speak to a nurse via text message or phone call. From 18th January those using the service will be able to get advice and support on mental and physical health issues including sexual health by contacting 07937 947946. Click Here for More

Local NHS apprentice, 49, nominated for prestigious award after life changing illness

A 49 year old apprentice at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust who was forced to give up a career as a healthcare assistant after losing his sight has been shortlisted for a regional award.

Mark Abel, from Worcester, has been shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year category in the Health Education West Midlands Apprenticeship Recognition Awards 2016 after being nominated by colleagues at the Elgar Unit in Worcester where he is an admin assistant.

Ribbon cut on Evesham’s new x-ray facility

A new state of the art x-ray machine was officially unveiled at Evesham Community Hospital this week. The machine will significantly cut the time it takes to carry out x-rays, produce images and get results for those who attend one of the hospital’s outpatient or dental clinics, following a referral from a GP, or who attend its Minor Injury Unit.

Sarah Dugan, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust which runs the hospital, cut the ribbon in the new x-ray department which has been refurbished to home the new machine.

Trust supports charity for disabled children in Peru

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is donating outgrown leg splints and boots to disabled children in one of the poorest areas in Peru.

Jill Gramann, Non-executive Director of the Trust, has been working with the charity, The Shalom Day Centre, for 10 years through her local church in Worcestershire. She was contacted by Reverend Patricia Blanchard who run's the charity and asked for donations of outgrown orthopaedic foot and leg splints and boots which give stability and support to children who attend a day centre in Lima.

NHS team nominated for Pride of Redditch award

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Community Children’s Nursing Team and Home Support Team have been nominated for a Pride of Redditch 2015 award.

The service which provides care to children with acute, complex and palliative care needs within Worcestershire were nominated for the award by a family whose son is cared for by them. Special recognition was given to Karen Weston, Community Children’s Nursing Sister at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, who cared for the family’s son “as if he was her own”.